Moves, Rumours,Judiciary, Injuries ...

[Graham]

Souths 110th anniversary banner:

[Graham]

"Reports say Adam Blair is a done deal with the Warriors.

Media outlets have reported on Wednesday that Blair will join the New Zealand club on a four-year deal in 2018 worth about $2.4 million.

Blair’s future has been a hot topic in rugby league circles in recent weeks and he was chased by a number of clubs before the Warriors won out.

It means Blair could potentially play his last game in Brisbane colours on Friday night, if his Broncos lose the final to Penrith at Suncorp Stadium."

 

Well that probably means he'll lose the edge he has recovered recently.

[Graham]

 Willie Peters  

  Dan Ferris

Manly's assistant coaches Willie Peters and Dan Ferris have allegedly been involved in a fist fight that came under police investigation.

The incident is alleged to have occurred on Wednesday, only four days after the club's season came to an end in an elimination final against Penrith at Allianz Stadium.

The Sea Eagles issued a statement yesterday confirming they were aware of an incident and had also alerted the NRL's Integrity Unit about the matter.

"The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been made aware of an incident involving two members of our coaching staff yesterday evening," the club said in a statement.

"The club has commenced an internal review into the matter. We have notified the NRL Integrity Unit that we have commenced our review and will keep them fully informed."

[Graham]

Darius Boyd will not play in tomorrow night’s NRL elimination final against the Penrith Panthers.

Boyd trained with the team at Suncorp Stadium this morning as he attempted to make a return from a hamstring injury suffered two weeks ago.

But coach Wayne Bennett confirmed his injury had not improved enough to convince medical staff he is right to go.

[Graham]

 Dave Taylor

The Toronto Wolfpack have officially announced the signing of Josh McCrone and Dave Taylor for the 2018 season.

The capture of former Origin and Australian forward Taylor is seen as a massive coup for the club as it strives to go one step further next season and get promoted to the Super League in 2019.

The Toronto Wolfpack is Canada’s first professional Rugby team & the world’s first transatlantic major professional sports team playing in the RLF in the UK.

“I’m excited about the challenge of joining the Wolfpack,” said Taylor on the club website.

[Graham]

Update on the Altercation between the Manly coaches:

Peters sacked, Ferris sanctioned. This after a set to outside a pub.

The pair had been spoken to by the police. Manly consider this case closed.

 

[Farmduck]

 

[Graham]

Parramatta’s attempts to distance itself from the bitter boardroom politics of the past failed spectacularly on Wednesday night when chairman Max Donnelly’s constitutional reforms were voted down by members.

At an extraordinary general meeting held at Rosehill racecourse, Donnelly failed to pass strict new eligibility requirements to become a director of Parramatta Leagues Club, namely excluding anyone who was an Eels board member before July 16 last year.

Parramatta voted against strict boardroom reforms.

In a clear sign former Eels supremos Denis Fitzgerald and Roy Spagnolo still wield significant influence among members, having mobilised the necessary numbers to block the proposed landmark reforms.

The vote ended up 68 in favour of the reforms, and 125 against.

With the Eels performing strongly on the field — Brad Arthur’s side take on North Queensland in Saturday night’s semi-final — Donnelly saw these reforms in ensuring the club would never again be at risk of the salary cap scandal that tore Parramatta apart last year.

Under the unsuccessful changes, anyone who had a finding made against them by the Office of Liquor and Gaming would have been barred from holding a position on the board.

Donnelly also wanted to remove the requirement for prospective directors to have to have been paying members of the club for three years.

While non-aligned voters seemed to not attend believing the changes would pass, the factions threatened by the reforms united to block them.

It’s understood Fitzgerald, Spagnolo and Paul Garrard led the charge.

Officials are still confident of completing the reform, alterations to the original proposal may need to be made.

Donnelly was appointed as administrator when the former board was sacked following last year’s salary cap scandal.

The veteran official will stay on as chairman until the reforms are in place, ensuring there is no threat to the long-term stability of the club.

[Graham]

Finals Week 2  Game 2:

Saturday 16th September 2017 - ANZ Stadium

News:

Parramatta

Second-rower Tepai Moeroa has been ruled out of the must-win final with concussion.

Moeroa copped a head knock in last week’s qualifying-final loss to Melbourne and will likely be replaced by Peni Terepo in the Eels’ 17, who has overcome a hamstring injury.

In better news for the Eels, coach Brad Arthur has declared hooker Cameron King an almost certain starter after recovering from an arm injury suffered in last week’s loss.

Justin O’Neill has been pencilled in to return from what was feared to be a possibly season-ending elbow injury against the Eels.

O’Neill has sat out the past month for the Cowboys as part of a brutal injury toll that threatened to derail the club’s 2017 campaign.

[Graham]

So can Nathan Cleary only get better - well the signs look good for this talented young bloke who already plays well above his age.

Quote

 

In his first full NRL season, Nathan Cleary was compared to Johnathan Thurston and earned an endorsement to be the next NSW halfback from Queensland coach Kevin Walters.

All at the age of 19 and in his second season that might be a tough act to follow.

According to Penrith coach Anthony Griffin we haven't seen anything yet.

Cleary's stellar year came to an abrupt halt when Brisbane held out the Panthers 13-6 in their semi-final at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

"I suppose he has risen to a level of consistency so quickly people forget this was his first full season," Griffin said of his star No.7.

"The way he plays and behaves as a 19-year-old is pretty special and he will be much better for this year.

"He will get a lot out of this year."

Already without captain Matt Moylan, Cleary tried to assert himself against a fired up Brisbane and his job only got harder after halves partner Tyrone May (knee) was lost on the stroke of halftime.

However, even Cleary could not stop Brisbane ending Penrith's run of eight wins in 10 games.

While Griffin took the huge raps on Cleary with a grain of salt, he expected his young half to reach great heights next year.

"I think they were playing a bit of mind games earlier in the week, Hunty and those guys," Griffin said of Ben Hunt comparing Cleary to Thurston.

"But he is a very level-headed kid. He doesn't shy away from anything."

Griffin did not point the finger at Cleary over Penrith's inability to crack Brisbane's desperate defence.

"It's a bit raw at the moment but we just couldn't convert the field position we had," he said.

"We got pulled down centimetres short at times and there were a couple of wrong options.

"We needed to be better than that with the opportunities we had."

 

 

Edited September 16, 2017 by Graham

[Graham]

Peter Sterling has signed a contract to be exclusively on Ch 9 from next season

[Graham]

Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary sent a scare through camp on Monday morning when he was sent home from training with a nasty bout of food poisoning, but his teammates are confident he'll be fine to take his place in the halves for Saturday night's preliminary final against the Cowboys.

Keary hasn't missed a game this season and has played an integral role in helping the Tricolours climb from 15th to second on the Telstra Premiership ladder in the space of 12 months.

"I don't know what he ate last night but he's at home on the toilet!" Roosters co-captain Jake Friend said.

Edited September 18, 2017 by Graham

[Blotto]

Well Dessie has left the Doggies could mean Madge becomes frontrunner!

Roosters saying ""great Scott"" as Matt makes it to the Team selection for the Cowboys!

 

Edited September 19, 2017 by Blotto

[Blotto]

1 hour ago, R L Winger said:

Channel Nines coverage of Rugby League is second rate.

I'd reserve judgement until after Prime 7's coverage of the RLWC

[Vichyssoise]

9 minutes ago, Blotto said:

I'd reserve judgement until after Prime 7's coverage of the RLWC

You mean to say that it could be worse?

To quote the great Phil Gould: "No no no no no".

[Graham]

44 minutes ago, Blotto said:

Well Dessie has left the Doggies could mean Madge becomes frontrunner!

Roosters saying ""great Scott"" as Matt makes it to the Team selection for the Cowboys!

 

 

This has been on the cards and discussed as likely for weeks now. Wonder what took them so long. Probably being sensible in getting through all their season first.

Quote

Canterbury have sacked Des Hasler just five months after agreeing to a contract extension.

Hasler has been at the helm of the Bulldogs since 2012 and guided the side into the finals in every one of those seasons save for this one.

 

[Graham]

 

After missing Melbourne’s past two years of NRL finals through injury, Billy Slater says he won’t let a decision about his playing future cloud Friday night’s preliminary final against Brisbane.

The match could be Slater’s last Storm game at AAMI Park if he decides to retire, but the 34-year-old says it hasn’t affected the timing of his decision.

Due to two shoulder reconstructions, he’d spent the past two years in the coaching box and said, this year, he was determined to soak up every ounce of finals’ fever.

“I’m just really enjoying the opportunity I’ve got in front of me because, in the last two years during the finals, I’ve been wearing a suit,” Slater said on Tuesday.

[Graham]

 

Matt Scott has been named in the squad for this weekend's game against Roosters. That's remarkable in itself  considering his serious injury in R2 that was to put him out for the 2017 season. Having said that it's unlikely he will play unless injuries or illness to others occurs.

[Graham]

Coen Hess’ knee “should be fine” but Antonio Winterstein is the main concern.

He has suffered damage to his ribs.

Fortunately for the winger there is no break.

Meanwhile, Roosters star Luke Keary has missed training for the second day straight.

The club are hopeful he’ll be fit to train on Thursday after he was sent home for a second consecutive day with food poisoning.

Keary has been battling food poisoning since the weekend, however it’s understood his condition has improved.

[Graham]

Broncos: Darius Boyd will return from a hamstring injury, moving Kodi Nikorima to the halves.

Tevita Pangai Jnr has also been battling a hamstring complaint and is ready to make his comeback.

The Broncos have several other concerns with Sam Thaiday, Jai Arrow and Corey Oates to complete concussion tests in order to play this week. If Oates is ruled out, David Mead will start on the wing.

[Irish Saint]

Boyd and Oates will play for Broncos

https://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/09/19/11/55/broncos-rally-around-mourning-skipper-boyd?ocid=Social-NRLFS

Watch the video also mentions that Bulldogs have no intention of paying Hasler out on his two year contract!

[Irish Saint]

Sydney right now... 

.... no offence meant to any die hard follower of any Sydney team.

Edited September 20, 2017 by Irish Saint

[Graham]

Medi cab and serious concerns a few days ago and yet Wayne Bennett is prepared to pick Corey Oates this week.

What happened to concerns for players long term well being?

As far as Cheerful Wayne is concerned on this decision:

Quote

"It was in the hands of the doctor. The doctor's made a decision, it is now in Corey's hands whether he wants to play and he wants to play and that is the way it will be.

"The doctor has cleared him to play and he is confident he can play - that's all I need to know."

Bennett said he didn't care if he copped any more flak over picking Oates.

"One thing I know is that they will never build a statue for critics," he said.

"Fortunately, I don't listen to them.

 

Edited September 21, 2017 by Graham

[Graham]

Dragons Home venues 2018

Quote

The St George Illawarra Dragons have today announced their 'Home Game Venue' structure for the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

For the 2018 season the Dragons will play five home games at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, five home games at WIN Stadium, Wollongong in addition to the traditional ANZAC Day match against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

The Dragons are reviewing a number of market opportunities for their 12th home game, and expect to confirm the location for this over the coming weeks ahead of the NRL draw being released.

Other than the Roosters match on ANZAC Day as is the tradition, the determination of opponents and games to be played at each venue will be made once the NRL draw is released in October, and subsequent venue availability is confirmed.

In determining the home game venue structure for season 2018 the Dragons Board of Directors considered a number of factors, namely:

-          Expiration of current venue hire agreements and new agreements moving forward

-          Proposed investment by the NSW State Government into major Sydney stadia, and associated construction timelines

-          Review of the 'Right Game Right Venue' strategy for the period 2014 to 2017

-          Club Venue Strategy

"The 2018 schedule will see the Dragons play 10 of our 12 home games at our traditional venues at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah and WIN Stadium, Wollongong, as well as hosting the annual ANZAC Day game at Allianz Stadium – one of the biggest events on the NRL calendar," Dragons CEO Peter Doust said.

Now it's up to Dragons fans to have their say on this.

AS for me I'd rather watch them play in their traditional venues than, for example, a big soulless stadium with little or no atmosphere.

 

[Graham]

 

John Sutton has re-signed with Souths for another season.